The society has relieved the past year one thousand more persons than during the previous year, and since the recent flood they have been obliged to keep their store-house open every day. Additional efforts have been made to raise money in order to meet the urgent necessities of the many poor families who lost everything they had by the flood. There are now over three hundred regular monthly subscribers, besides the donations on special occasions. The headquarters of the society are at the Sacramento Library, besides which they have a store-house. It is often the case that immigrants arrive here without a dollar, and when it happens that there are large families in this condition it must be deplorable. The Howards are invariably called upon to relieve these, and they are often furnished with tickets to carry them to the particular part of the State which they desire to reach. It is often the case, also, that people come here from the interior in order to obtain medical treatment, and hundreds of cases are on record where sick persons, and even entire families, are thrown upon the Howards for support. All the money, amounting to eight thousand dollars last year, with the exception of that appropriated by the State, is raised by the citizens of Sacramento. Having examined the workings of the Association carefully, your committee are of the opinion that double the amount, at least, of the State appropriation has been expended upon the poor of the State who in no way belong to this particular locality, and that, therefore, the appropriation should be continued.

THE CALIFORNIA PRISON COMMISSION.

The objects and aims of the California Prison Commission are as follows: The amelioration of the condition of prisoners, whether detained for trial, or as witnesses, or finally convicted; the improvement of prisons and prison discipline; the government of prisons in the State; the aid and encouragement of discharged prisoners, where such aid seems merited. A general agent is employed, James Woodworth, of San Francisco,who devotes his entire time to the duties of the office, and who receives one hundred dollars per month. This agent receives each month a list of the prisoners to be discharged from the State Prison, and visits each and every one at the prison, for the purpose of acquainting himself with the character, disposition, plans, and necessities of each one, so as to avoid being imposed upon. They are given advice, and, if deserving, are furnished with more substantial assistance, and often placed in communication with friends; money is often collected for the prisoners, in order that they may, being released, go to a remote part of the State. When prisoners are discharged they are looked after and furnished with something to eat and a place to sleep, when necessary, until they can obtain

on

The expenditures have been as follows:

Salary of agent

Rent of office..

Relief of discharged prisonersSundry expenses

Total

$1,000 00 122 00

$1,122 00

$ 855 46

96 00

402 25

12 98

$1,365 69

The balance of two hundred and forty-four dollars and sixty-nine cents represents one hundred and twenty-two dollars and thirty-five cents on hand at the beginning of the year and one hundred and twenty-two dollars and thirty-four cents now due the Treasurer.

The agent's salary, for five months, is still due, and the warrant for one thousand dollars, due in June, will be required to meet the debts now due. Your committee took the testimony of Dr. Gibbons and other prominent gentlemen of San Francisco, who were unanimously of the opinion that the Prison Commission has been doing a good work, and should be fostered, upon the ground that if a single man is prevented, by kindly treatment and aid, from again becoming a criminal, it is money saved to the State. We recommend, however, that it be stricken off.

GRASS VALLEY LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

This Society was organized November sixth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three. Its annual collections from vaious sources amount to about five hundred dollars, in addition to the five hundred dollars appropriated by the State. The affairs of the Society are well managed by the ladies in charge, and much good has been done towards alleviating distress. The funds for its support are raised by subscription and concerts, entertainments, etc. No salaries are paid to any of those engaged in its management.

NAPA LADIES' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

It is sufficient to say of this society, that not one dollar has been raised in any manner from the citizens, and that a portion of the money donated by the State still remains unexpended in the treasury. In a community where there is so little poverty that five hundred dollars a year cannot be expended, it is certainly folly to continue the appropriations.

VALLEJO LADIES' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

This is a ladies' benevolent association, managed exclusively by ladies. There is no doubt as to the money being honestly expended;

but when it is stated that the cash contribution last year, outside of the five hundred dollars donated by the State, was but eighty-four dollars, it will be seen that it amounts to but little more than an agency to distribute the money appropriated by the State. It is true that donations of various articles, such as clothes and provisions, are received and distributed among poor families. There are now about thirty members of the Association who pay twenty-five cents a month. Altogether, the State has appropriated fifteen hundred dollars for the use of this society.

SAN JOSÉ LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

This is an incorporated society, organized by the ladies for the purpose of dispensing charity to the needy. Mrs. Eister is President, and Mrs. King, Secretary. The Society are the owners of property, donated to them, valued at six thousand dollars; but upon which there is no building, and hence it is unused and unproductive. The donation of James Lick, deeded to the City of San Jose for a charitable institution, is in the hands of the City Council, and it is expected that this will be turned over to this Society. This is understood to be for the purpose of an asylum for orphans. The disbursments of the Society for the past year have been something over two thousand five hundred dollars, all of which has been raised by donations, fairs given by the ladies, and by collections, except the amount given by the State, five hundred dollars. The aid dispensed has been mostly to poor families, of which class there have been a great many in San José during the past year. It was stated by the officers that although there is a County Hospital in that county, yet there are a great many cases where the head or some other member of a poor family is sick, who cannot be removed to the hospital, and they are obliged to have medicine. The wife would not be willing to allow a sick husband to be taken to the hospital where she could not be with him, and the same with regard to any other member of a family. They also have printed tickets, calling for a meal of victuals, or a bed, and these are given to destitute men, and also to families. They are not transferable, and cannot be bartered for liquor. The Society have lately rented a building where they have established a temporary home for certain classes of helpless persons. The President, who devotes her whole time to the management of the affairs of the Society, receives a salary of twenty-five dollars a month, and the rent of the building is twenty-five dollars, making an expense in these two items of six hundred dollars a year. In addition to this the employés receive twenty-five dollars a month.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY.

This is an association of the leading men of San José, Honorable C. T. Ryland and others, who do not allow their names to be known, organized for the purpose of dispensing charity. They do not solicit aid, but put their hands in their pockets whenever the treasury becomes depleted and replenish it. Tickets are issued, which are received by all the stores, restaurants, and hotels, good for provisions, bread, meals, and beds. The total amount contributed by these gentlemen during the past year has been two thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars, in addition to what has been given by

the State-two hundred and fifty dollars a year. If a man comes to any member of the Society, in distress, he is given groceries, if he have a family, or fuel, or his rent paid, or whatever he may absolutely need; if he be a single man, he is supplied with something to eat and a place to sleep. It is a very worthy institution, the more charitable as the members tax themselves and no one else. The appropriation by the State was not made at the solicitation of any member of the Society. There are only thirteen gentlemen belonging to the association, and not all of them are active members. Families, who are known to be in destitute circumstances, are visited by these gentlemen, and relieved according to their necessities. They are furnished with medical attendance and medicine when sick. The Society has accomplished great good with but little ostentation.

THE LADIES' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF STOCKTON. This society is composed entirely of ladies, and was organized for the purpose of affording relief to poor and indigent. The Association has been receiving an annual appropriation from the State of five hundred dollars a year. Last year the Board of Supervisors also gave them a slightly increased appropriation, amounting to one thousand one hundred and fifty dollars, in consideration of their taking care of the indigent sick of the county. But this amount is entirely inadequate for the purpose, there being no County Hospital, or other building at the disposal of the society. There is no alms-house of any kind supported by the county, and hence the duty of caring and providing for the indigent sick, the aged and infirm, infants and children, as well as that of caring for the poor, devolves upon this society. In dispensing charity, the lady managers have personal supervision over the beneficiaries in order to guard against giving charity where it would be wrongfully bestowed. A large percentage of the relief afforded, other than that to the indigent sick, is bestowed upon families, where sickness has stricken down the support of the household, or where from other causes destitution prevails. It is also often the case that persons desire to remove to some other portion of the State, where employment can be had, but lacking the means, are provided with transportation by the society. A visiting committee of ladies go around, and by careful examination find where there is actual destitution, and afford the proper means of relief, sometimes giving clothes, sometimes wood, sometimes paying the rent, and other times furnishing the necessaries of life. The expenditures for the past year, as shown by the books, have been two thousand four hundred and eighty-six dollars and thirty cents. This has been received from various sources: Five hundred dollars a year from the State, one thousand one hundred and fifty dollars from the Board of Supervisors, and the balance has been donated by the citizens of Stockton, or from fairs and festivals given by the ladies. This amount only includes the cash donations. In addition there have been a large number who contributed groceries, clothing, and such other articles as can be used to relieve the various phases of want and penury. The committee examined the books of the Secretary and Treasurer, and found them kept in a simple, practical manner, showing at a glance the transactions of the society from its organization. Mrs. Dr. Shurtliff is the President, and Mrs. Dr. Brown, Secretary.

OAKLAND LADIES' RELIEF SOCIETY.

Annual appropriation from the State, five hundred dollars. This Society, though alike in name, is very different in the character of the work done, being, in every respect an orphan asylum. The building, consisting of a large three-story frame dwelling, is surrounded by about ten acres of excellent land, now being made to furnish many of the necessaries of life, and within a few years can be made to support, in a very large degree, the institution. The committee found some forty children, ranging from two years old up to twelve. Every department of the building is scrupulously neat, the dormitories light, airy, and well ventilated. The beds are equal in every respect to what the majority of children from the middle stations of life are used to, while ample play grounds and means of recreation are provided. The funds are all raised by the ladies in charge by soliciting from citizens, and all the clothes are made up by them also. The medical attendance is furnished without charge. Some of the children are full orphans, some half orphans, and some abandoned. The children, those who are of sufficient age, are sent to the public school, and the others are taught at the institution. Besides the maintenance of these orphans, considerable charity is dispensed to others, principally to old ladies. The Matron of this institution receives but twenty dollars a month.

ORPHAN ASYLUMS THE LADIES' PROTECTION AND RELIEF SOCIETY.

This association of ladies have a fine commodious building at the corner of Franklin and Gough Streets, San Francisco. Mrs. N. Gray is President of the Board of Lady Managers; Mrs. George Barstow, Vice President; Mrs. M. M. Soule, Recording Secretary; Mrs. C. Jackson, Corresponding Secretary; and Mrs. J. H. Flint, Treasurer. This Society was organized in September, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, and incorporated in eighteen hundred and fifty-four. For twenty-three years it has been carrying out its work of caring for the orphans, and neglected and abandoned children, and in procuring permanent homes for them when old enough. Children are taken from one year old up to ten years for boys, and girls of any age are taken. There are at this time about one hundred and eighty children, and out of all that number, notwithstanding the prevalence of diphtheria, and other fatal diseases in San Francisco, there have been but two deaths during the past year, and very few cases of sickness. The building is situated on a hill, where pure air and good drainage are attainable. An excellent school is provided in the building, with competent teachers, and the children are educated under the publicschool system. The building is kept scrupulously clean, the bread and victuals are plain and substantial, and the dormitories are light, airy, and well ventilated, with the best of beds. The medical attendance was furnished without charge during the past year by Drs. Mouser, McNutt, and Cool. Besides the orphan asylums, a large number of poor persons are relieved every year by the ladies, and charity dispensed to the extent of their means. The institution is supported by contributions, some voluntary, and the balance solicited by the ladies. The disbursements for eighteen hundred and seventy-seven were eighteen thousand three hundred and forty-three dollars and fifty cents; of which fourteen thousand two hundred and

thirty-three dollars was for household expenses; the balance being for repairs, taxes, street assessments, etc. The association are the owners of a very valuable property, which is increasing yearly in value. The amount drawn from the State treasury for the fiscal year ending June, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, was three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars.

PROTESTANT ORPHANS' HOME.

This asylum is situated in San Francisco. It is well located in regard to drainage and ventilation, and here again we have an astonishing health record. There are at this time one hundred and twenty-two children, all healthy, warmly dressed, and apparently the making of good citizens. The building is surrounded by commodious grounds, where the children can take their recreation, and there is no sickness among them. They are educated by competent teachers, under the public school system. When the boys arrive at the age of twelve years, they are put out to learn trades, and provided with good and permanent homes whenever possible. When the girls are old enough to leave, they are put out with families, having first been taught the rudiments of house-keeping, cooking, and sewing. The dormitories are light and airy; the bath-rooms are clean, and often used, and every child is instructed in habits of cleanliness. The institution owns a very valuable property, and is supported by donations. The amount drawn from the State for the year ending June, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, was thirteen thousand six hundred and forty-seven dollars and fifty-five cents.

HEBREW ORPHAN ASYLUM.

This society is composed of Hebrews, who have contributed so liberally that they now have one of the most complete and commodious buildings of the kind in the State. It is situated near the Golden Gate Park, and has four fifty vara lots in connection with the building. When the building is completed, it will have a frontage of two hundred and fifteen feet, by one hundred and eighty-three feet deep. The health of the children is remarkably good, only one death having occurred during the past year. The children are sent to the public schools, and are also instructed in Hebrew at home by a competent teacher. There is probably not a building for the same purpose in the State so thoroughly finished, so completely equipped, as this. The capital of the society amounts to one hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars, of which sixty-four thousand dollars are bearing interest. The donations for the past year amounted to about four thousand seven hundred dollars; interest on money invested, four thousand dollars; receipts of ladies' fair, forty-five thousand one hundred and seventy-eight dollars; State aid, three thousand and eighty-six dollars; total, fifty-six thousand nine hundred and sixty-four dollars. Expenses for the year, fourteen thousand dollars. It will thus be seen that the institution is more than self-supporting, with the present number of children. The average number is about fifty.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

This asylum is situated in South San Francisco, on the summit of a hill, surrounded by about twenty acres of good farming land. It is one of the finest buildings in the State-in fact, the largest and most complete orphan asylum in California-and is under the management of the Sisters of Charity. The dormitories are certainly as perfectly arranged and equipped as could be wished for. There are now about three hundred children in the Asylum. They are being educated by competent teachers in the English branches and in music. They are also instructed in household work and all that goes to make good housewives. The health of the institution, considering the large number of children, has been remarkably good, which is owing in a great degree to the pure air and perfect drainage. There have been no cases of diphtheria and no fevers. A number of the children have been taken down with measles, but no fatal cases as yet. Children are received without regard to the religious creed of the parents when living. They are not forced to adopt the Catholic religion, but merely to conform to the customs. As soon as practicable, and as fast as they can be found, the children are provided with homes, put out to trades, and adopted out into good families. Of the orphans who are within the proper age to receive State aid, there are eighty-five whole orphans, one hundred and forty-five half orphans, and thirty-two abandoned children, making a total of two hundred and sixty-two orphans. The institution is well managed throughout; the children have a pleasant home, and will undoubtedly, under such training and government, make good women. The amount received from the State for the year ending June, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, was seventeen thousand one hundred and fifty-three dollars and sixty-four cents.

ST. JOSEPH'S BRANCH ORPHAN ASYLUM.

This asylum is situated near by the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, and is a branch of the same, and is also under the management of the Sisters. This asylum also receives boys, and has connected with it a Foundling Hospital. The rate of mortality of the foundlings has been very great-so great, in fact, that it would seem almost useless to continue the work. Out of sixty-six foundlings received during the past year sixty died, five were withdrawn, and one was adopted out. One of the chief reasons for this frightful mortality is found in the fact that the institution is situated in South San Francisco. These foundlings, many of them, are abandoned at a very tender age, and many times, to avoid exposure of the mother, are carried this long distance through the cold night air, on the very night they are born, and left on the step, with the seeds of pneumonia or other diseases implanted in their systems, and from which they cannot recover. In many instances they are thrown into some vacant lot, or left on the sidewalk, where they are left to perish, or are taken up by passers-by and conveyed to the Asylum. There are in the St. Joseph's Branch thirty-two whole orphans and one hundred and thirty-seven half orphans, making a total of one hundred and sixty-nine, besides the foundlings, which do not receive the per capita benefit allowed by law to orphans, though they are the most unfortunate and helpless of orphans.

ST. BONIFACE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

After a long search your committee succeeded in tracing up and finding this so-called "Orphan Asylum." It is a small house owned by a woman by the name of Mrs. C. Graves, who has been conducting the house as an orphan asylum, renting out the upper story and keeping the children down stairs in an atmosphere not at all conducive to health. There are at this time about fourteen children under her charge, some of whom pay eight dollars a month for their keeping, and others five dollars. It is not worth while to enter into a description of the premises, any more than to show with how little intelligence the Legislature has been dispensing charity. Such institutions as this are not established, in our opinion, for the purpose of dispensing charity to the orphans, but, under the cloak of charity, to provide a home and a living for some individual. The amount of money that this institution has been receiving from the State annually is six hundred and twenty-two dollars and ninety-seven cents. There are no trustees connected with the institution, no one who is responsible; in fact it is not to be classed either as an orphan asylum or a place of charity. There are no books kept-not a scratch of writing to show anything about its transactions.

PAJARO VALLEY ORPHAN ASYLUM.

This Asylum is situated about four miles from the Town of Watsonville, on the confines of a clear mountain lake, surrounded by over a hundred acres of the finest land in the State, with which the institution has been at different times endowed. It is in charge and conducted by a Franciscan Monk, Father Codina, a man who is devoting his life to this kind of work without remuneration. The site of the building is a most beautiful one, and that leads us up to the thought that the country is the proper place for asylums of this kind, where the boys may learn the art of farming, and be fitted to make their own living when they are old enough to go forth into the world. There are at this time, within the ages prescribed by law for drawing State aid, eighteen whole orphans and thirty-two half orphans, making a total of fifty. There are a number of others beyond the age. Besides these, there are a number of outside children who attend the school free. The buildings are large and comfortable in every respect, and the health record remarkably good. Boys are received into the Asylum without regard to whether they were raised Catholics or Protestants. The school-rooms are large, and every child is educated in the common branches. The entire expenses for last year footed up eight thousand dollars. This sum, outside of three thousand three hundred and eighty-six dollars received from the State, was raised entirely by donations made in the churches. There is quite an income from the farm-that is, they raise their own bread, vegetables, milk, and butter. The institution bears evidence of being well and economically managed.

SANTA CRUZ FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.

This Asylum is located in the Town of Santa Cruz, and is in the hands of the Sisters of Mercy. They have one new building and one old one, the latter not suited to the purpose. The institution is

in debt about ten thousand dollars, which makes a very heavy burden in the way of interest. There is a large school connected with the Asylum, with a large number of outside children attending. There are five whole orphans, ten half orphans, making a total of fifteen. The amount drawn from the State last year was nine hundred and seventy-eight dollars and fifty-eight cents. The children are remarkably healthy, and there have been no deaths during the

year.

SAN RAFAEL ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The San Rafael Orphan Asylum, for boys only, is situated in Marin County, about six miles from the Town of San Rafael. It is a Catholic institution, under the charge of father Crook. The buildings are quite extensive, and are surrounded by a farm, all belonging to the Asylum, of about thirteen hundred acres of land, three hundred acres of which is swamp land, five hundred acres hill or pasture land, and the balance suited to cultivation. There is a large dairy of forty milch cows, and about seventy-five head of dry cattle, hogs, horses, and sheep. There is a head dairyman to direct matters connected with the dairy, and all the rest of the work is performed by the larger boys, as well as much of the light work of the farm. Thus they are taught by skillful masters the most useful of all employments, and when they go forth into the world will be prepared to earn their own living. By reason of the fact that there is no outlay for bread or meat, or butter, cheese, and milk, nothing to pay for potatoes or vegetables, the institution is almost self-sustaining. There are now in the Asylum one hundred and eighty-five half orphans, one hundred and nineteen whole orphans, making a total of three hundred and four. There are, counting all the children, three hundred and seventy-six now being fed, clothed, and educated. This includes those that are over the age, and those whose friends pay. Last year over four thousand dollars were raised, by subscription, by Father Crook. The annual expenses of the Asylum are about twenty thousand dollars, and last year twenty thousand two hundred and nineteen dollars were received from the State. So that, deducting the produce of the land, which forms so large a part of the subsistence, the amount received from the State more than pays the cash outlay. At the time that the present Father took charge of the Asylum, there was a debt of thirty-two thousand dollars, all of which has been paid off. Everything in the house is good and substantial. Being on an elevation, the air and drainage are good, and there has consequently been little or no sickness. The per capita cost of supporting the children is estimated at ten dollars à month, which is very low.

GOOD TEMPLARS' HOME FOR ORPHANS.

The Good Templars' Home for Orphans is situated about three miles from Vallejo, and was organized, and is sustained and managed by the Order of Good Templars. It is not devoted exclusively to the care of the orphans of members of that Order, as might possibly be inferred. Children are received without regard to creed, to the full extent of the society's means. The money for the support of the asylum, which includes a first class school in the building, is raised by subscription of the various Lodges throughout the State, and by donations by citizens generally. None of the officers-the

President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Trustees-receive any pay whatever for their services; none but the Matron, the teachers, and necessary employés being paid. During the past year nine children died of diphtheria, and one was killed by falling from the second story. There is no disease in the Asylum at the present time, except one case of hereditary consumption, which must prove fatal. With the exception of the beds, which are of wood and of double size, the equipments of the building are good; but the bedsteads should be of iron, by all means, and but one child should be allowed in each. These are matters that have not been attended to, for want of funds. There are now nineteen whole orphans and fifty-six halforphans in the Home. The physician's bill for medical attendance last year was one hundred and thirty-one dollars, in addition to the cost of the drugs. This institution was organized in eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, and from that time up to the present there have been but fourteen deaths, nine of which occurred last year from diphtheria, as before stated. The whole number admitted since the beginning is three hundred and thirty-three. As fast as possible homes are found for the children, either by adoption or otherwise, and guaranties are demanded to insure their being well treated. The amount received from the State during the twenty-eighth fiscal year was five thousand five hundred and nineteen dollars and thirty-two

cents.

ST. JOSEPH'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.

St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum is situated in Sacramento, and is under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy. It is more of a day and boarding school than an orphan asylum, there being an attendance of nearly four hundred children. There are but nine whole and half orphans now in the institution. It is certainly not the province of the State to aid an institution with so small a number, and this fact is acknowledged by the head of the church, who is willing that the appropriation be discontinued. Your committee, therefore, recommend, in harmony with the general recommendations in regard to the orphans, that the St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum be stricken from the roll of beneficiaries.

PROTESTANT ORPHAN ASYLUM OF SACRAMENTO.

This Asylum is situated in the suburbs of the City of Sacramento, and receives both boys and girls. There are comfortable buildings owned by the association, and a separate building which is used exclusively as a school room, where the children are educated under the public school system. The building is surrounded by commodious recreation grounds, and the interior presents a neat, clean appearance. There were a number of cases of diphtheria, but no deaths resulted therefrom. Medical attendance is secured for one hundred dollars a year, including medicine. The youngest child is eighteen months old, and the oldest thirteen years. The number of whole and half orphans at this time is seventy, including two abandoned children; amount received from the State last year, four thousand nine hundred and twelve dollars.